Leica M8

[breakit46]

I post the help below.

For people who do not know how to hold and use a manual focus camera.

Support the camera (M2,3,4,4P,6,7,MP,8,8.2,9,9P) in the palm of your hand and the rest is easy.

It is made to balance effortlessly when you do this.

Just add experience and enjoy.

[breakit46]

Put the lens in your left hand palm with your thumb left of the lens and using the ends of a few fingers to twist the focus barrel.

Looking through the viewfinder watch the split image overlap, squeeze the shutter button to take the picture.

Of course you will need to decide on the exposure settings before you do the above.

[breakit46]

Skill isn't in the auto mode.

Craft is earned.

[MrCOLTSR2]

THESE LEICA CAMERAS ARE SO OLD LOOKING AND UGLY!...real pros never use em!....over rated and overpriced..Get the awesome Leica S2 instead!

[J0KERRRRRRRRR]

millimetaa!

[MegaTmarshall]

I hate digital "faux" photography  and I don't care who builds the camera!

[kertong]

If using a full featured SLR is like driving a ferrari with an F1 paddle/SMG style system, a leica M8/9 (or epson r-d1) is like a traditional clutch and stick.

If I want every last bit of performance and need to do studio work, I'd pick a 5d mk2 in a heartbeat . But for walking around, travelling, and basically shooting with as little "camera" as possible, I'll take the RF.

I also notice that the subjects don't tend to freak out as much - a giant SLR can be a bit intimidating!

[lambdatau118]

I have a Canon, and considering switching. How long does it take to become proficient with a rangefinder?

[kertong]

@lambdatau118 I bought an epson r-d1 about an year ago. Took me about 2- 3months to get "proficient" enough with the rangefinder focusing to shoot without fumbling and stuttering. Takes me about 0.5-1 seconds to get focus at f/2.8 or above, anything faster, maybe 1.5-2 seconds.

Still, I could have switched back to an SLR because I was missing a lot of action shots, and the SLR was just... easy. It wasn't until the 12-15 month mark that I realized that I just could not go back to a big SLR.

[lambdatau118]

@kertong THANKS! I bought the R-d1. Week one was rough, but quickly became worth the investment. Already love it with a 2.8 Elmarit. About to say bye bye 20D!

[heoquayhp]

I dont see professional using these in the field. Maybe its just for showing off, and old-rich men who love the touch of 1940ish styles (tho the specs is amazing)

[Littlewindovers]

There is something not right here. A digi camera made to look like a classic film camera and the rest. The first leica was revolutionary. This most certainly is not,

This is just part of it, and maybe its only me.

[notme9201]

Well when you have actually used one, you will understand the difference. The Leica is not like a mercedes, it is the Bugatti of cameras. Get it right.

[choufeizhu]

thanks for the info Arnie

[madass888]

Why would anyone want to buy this? You can get a 5D MK2 with a L lens for the same money.

[LeDaveee]

For the name, that's all. German engineering like Mercedes. Too bad Japanese offer more bang for the money, Canon and Nikon just like Honda and Toyota.

[lsmith1981]

Hell yeah Just like the U boat in WW2 shoot...but weetsie is Correct tho..All of these Cameras No Matter wat the brand last has long as the user takes care of them..Espically if they been saving and Cherish the Art of Photography..

[weetsie]

a 5D mk2 is huge in comparison and the m8 will give sharper pictures with better colour.

[dvamateur]

Aesthetics. The 5D is a big hulk of a brick compared the Leica, which is actually beautiful. Same with the large L lens, it's bulky. Leica lenses are nice and compact.

[galileo021728]

only up to 4gb?!

[rowanlamb]

bear in mind that in 2006 4gb was just about as big as SD cards got...

[willischow]

i'm using 8GB sandisk Ultra II for my M8, works fine.

[tarapanda1]

I really want one its WAY too expensive :(

The pictures it takes are beautiful

[UBIX89]

Yeah i also want one but its like $2300!!!

[Zynche]

it's 4.500 actually

[galileo021728]

the photographer can make beautiful pictures not the camera.

[madshaunyboy]

I agree galileo

[joker0187]

i dont fuck with dslrs, i find them to get out of date way too quickly

thats why i'm sticking with good old 35mm, lol

anyways, if i were to get into digital, i would sure get myself a leica dslr. they seem to have that same feeling of control as my good old asahi pentax. i want to control my settings, i hate all auto

anyone want to donate their m8 to me or give to my charity account???????

(their too expensive!!!!!!!!, but when i have the cash i will buy one asap)

[madshaunyboy]

I still use a ZENIT EM 35mm made in 1970 and its dun me fine sofar lol

[ajuk1]

M8 what a stupid name, even Nikon and Canon changed the naming system for Digital and they don't have the die hard traditionalist following Leica has DMF!

[shane6003PQ]

It's an M camera, why change the name? It's pretty much the same dimensions, the same controls and looks, and uses the same non-electronic lenses. What should it have been call? a DM camera?

Leica is not nikon or canon, Leica is much better then the japanese companies at keeping photography artistic/creative and making their cameras last.

People gave up their DSLRs from 2006, yet people are still using the M8 and love it today, enough to make the M8.2

[ajuk1]

I'm not saying its not, I think MD1 or M1D or even M7D would have been more sane. The name they gave it implies that's its nothing more than a casual replacement to the last model rather than a different type of camera.

[shane6003PQ]

Want a funny name? Try the new Canon EOS Rebel T1i DSLR! What was canon thinking, calling it T1i? it's completely different from anything they've done so far.

And why did they let it out anyways? It has most of the stats of the 50D! A few fps less, but that's not important to most people. Now that's funny marketing, especially this soon after the 50D.

I still think the M8 is an M and shouldn't be treated "better" because it's digital.

[ajuk1]

Ha ha Camera naming hasn't made a lot of sense with a lot of companies, although I always thought the M8 name was 'pants on head retarded', maybe to excite 58 year old digital zealots with beards, yes they all have beards. I bet they think they have run out of ways to improve their film models and that breaking the naming scheme will never be a problem, I think they might have jumped the gun there.

[albaraki]

Leica lenses are awesome, they're thinner than Canon or Nikon's.

I had the chance to try this M8, but as I'm used to Nikon, I found it diffecult to used rangefinder, but by practice, it'll be piece of cake.

Plus Leica has so unique feel and look.

I wish to own one.

[ajuk1]

Get a Canon Ql-17 GIII in the meantime.

[albaraki]

I already have Nikon D70 with the following lenses:

50mm f1.4

85mm f1.4

18-70 f3.5-4.5

But it's cool to have something full of quality and unique...

[ajuk1]

I meant if you want a Rangefinder in the mean time, I to also have a DSLR.

[WeisseSocke]

Oh, I didn't know Leica offers Digital-Cameras...

[asianwong]

holy shit, even new Liecas look old! no offense to anyone who likes em' (i do to) its just that it looks like they slapped a LCD back onto one of them

[oldproji]

You don't know Leica very well then djacobox372. They never do things half heartedly. Their pre-war 35mm cameras have become icons fetching, in some instances, vast amounts of money at auction. It has nothing to do with being digital or film. It has everything to do with engineering perfection and quality components. Once they have mastered the technology the other contenders will have to watch them closely. You are entitled to your remark of course, but show me the reasoning behind it.

[shaileshfamily]

expensive 2500 gbp here in london

[oldproji]

Worth the price or not is a matter of opinion. Leica have never been cheap, but is the dream of almost every photographer I know. Try buying this camera in ten years time and you will pay more for it. Try buying this camera second hand in ten years time and you will, at the very least, get your money back. Try doing that with any other camera you can think of and you'll be very hard pressed to get any money at all. I want one, but can't afford it. But if I could I would.

[djacobox372]

LOL, Lecia digital is NOT going to hold it's value in the same way as Lecia film cameras--it will be obsolete in 2 years and nearly worthless.

[KSS5]

Leica is such a iconic brand, look at the style of the camera, lol I can only imagine what it feels like to hold it in your hands. And depending on how many they even actually sell it definitely is a once in a lifetime camera.

[shane6003PQ]

Yet the M8 came out in 2006, and people are still buying them today in 2009? Maybe in another 2 years? lol But Leica has a reputation for waiting a few years to come out with another M camera... just recently they updated the M8 to an M8.2

[TemplarReturns]

What exactly is the frame lines they speak of? Is it the frame fitting that the lenses screws on to?

[sybaris720]

they are the lines that appear in the viewfinder to show FOV. Dont forget its a rangefinder not an SLR. You always see the same view, regardless of focal length. FOV is established by overlaying framing lines. This gives you the advantage of seeing what is outside of the frame.

[peanutking242]

i want one! if only they are as cheap as a 5D

[shane6003PQ]

You can get them used online for 3000 so it's not quite as cheap, but it's a good price used.

[eliteease]

Well, i own M8 just few months ago, though there is M8.2 release, i would say M8 is a true legend that light up my photography passion!

[alanbstard3]

actually they are aiming at a high end market. Like Ferrari do. Truth is the camera in a practical sense is no better than a high quality competitor for the average person, but the price is falsley inflated, like a Ferrari, go get a certain customer

Great camera though

[vumpsh]

cool. doesn't beat the feel of a vintage Leica II, III, or M3

[sacredgeometry]

nothing compares to the m3 (im slightly biased haha mine is my baby) haha even the mp and m2/m4 which in essence are the same camera they are not the equal.. all are undoubtably m and have a feeling superior to anything else ive held and used including all pro nikons film and digital. But the m3 is special...it causes awe in people... i nearly got scolded by a girl running after me just to tell me i had a leica at glastonbury festival....:( wanted that chai as well haha

im bumbling sorry

[randyp1234567]

bummer that everyone who claimed the m8 was the best leica ever just got trumped by leica releasing the m8.2

how did it feel to be a $10K+ beta tester?

[mikes1984]

feels great!

[randyp1234567]

i bet it does!

[ntphong999]

Way overpriced.

[TemplarReturns]

Agreed. They should be at least 2,500 or something not 5,000.

[panaisd]

leica are the best cameras ever.i'd kill to have one

[fishrule1942]

The Leica M8 is pretty underwhelming, 5000 dollars is insane for a rangefinder that is not even full frame.

[46lar]

That's David Walliams

[0zgon]

Shame they're overpriced.

[freeway911]

there are in the world no better than a Leica.

No Japanese mass merchandise. A Leica holds a lifetime! Germans are the best engineers.

[Entropy56]

Expensive camera is hampered by a tiny sensor.

Ruinous Landscape?

[selfdestruct999]

love the camera, hate the price. 5000 bucks for the body is just out of 95% of the market that a rangefinder is aimed at.

[DDriensky]

$5000 for this camera, body only, with cheapest lens being $1000-$1500. Craziness! Oh yeah and the Leica rep sounds like Balki

[Federicoscala]

great camera, price out of market!

[sohndi]

they did a great job

but to expensive for Digital camera...

digital technology keeps changing fast...

few years later all the digital camera we are using now... will be useless!

[sohndi]

lovely!!!

I thought it was impossible to make M-System Digital...

but still my best are Leica M3

[Sefardisafran]

A real jewel!

LuisM

[jespeers]

Databinding . NET

type tubeland . com in browser. FULL tutorial

[henrik2k]

i like my m6 better, for digital photography i use eos 20d

[vbsytp]

Does anyone here knows the meaning of rangerfinder.

This is the best camera and the most expensive, because Leica holds the monopoly on that side of the market.

If you want to shoot that way, you must buy leica.

5000 for the body and 5000 more for the Noctilux lens. 10 g's. Do you think that people are stupid and throw their money ?

[engjds]

rather have a d80 or d200 anyday

[mrdicksu]

I have a d80 and preordered d300. But Im still waiting for the day I feel like I can handle ANY leica. Noctilux 1-1 mmmmmmmmmmm

[deargeorge]

Worthless,IMHO,without a full frame sensor.

[funwithghosts]

Give me an M6 or 7 any day.

[ace62]

I have always loved Leica stuff. However I hear that this camera is turning out to be a real "DOG". Many people are not at all happy with it. What has your alls luck been?

[BBnose]

Ah! wait a minute. I'm not sure if the camera with a real time LCD display. Is the LCD only diplaying the taken photos? Anyone tell me please?

[dijkstrace]

Yes

it only displays the taken photos.

[BBnose]

I've found one interesting point that new M8 has a lcd screen display and now leica can introduce more super tele lenses such 1600mm lens for the digital M system. This is not possible to have super tele lens for previous M models because of the limitation of its range finder system.

[ajuk1]

M8, who thought that name was a good idea!

[sintexgmt]

I think that Leica will have a hard time breaking into heavy digital with this camera. Features to price versus the Canon and Nikon cameras that have been at this for a long while is a stumbling block.In my opinion Leica glass is still too versatile for the sensors that are out. I would like to see a Leica digital, or anyones for that matter that had a way of just upgrading the sensor as technology progresses.

[Cedricparapente]

Very expensive for such tech available on Canon, not even a full frame, and shutter noise is the same as Canon (not a curtain)

[toborexperiment]

I'm quite frightened by such stuff. We all know digital is fast and getting better every year.. but still is a short life technology. I really would love to have this baby, what's the meaning of spending 4000 U$ in a piece of equiment that will be obsolete 3 years from now?

[320k]

That's why I gave up digital last year.

There are tons of great films out there and film cameras are cheap now because so many people think digital is so wonderful.

[TrevorMarkwart]

It reminds me of the Porsche 911. Retro-timeless, and the ultimate industrial design.

I'm just amazed at how it completely trumps big silly plastic lumps like the Nikon D2XS by remaining true to its roots. Just looking at the specs shows it weighs half as much and is considerably smaller, and has a lot more image quality potential and all the hands-on real controls ease of use and tactile pleasure. Not a camera for Joe Slob, but then the Porsche 911 is not a car for Joe Slob, either.

[jm42892]

If that camera didn't have the lcd on the back i would have thought it was 30 years old. No joke. Why do they have to look so low tech? What's with that huge cover on the bottom for the battery and memory card?

[panch85]

man looks so retro that i dont even what to c it in real life...im serious

[TrevorMarkwart]

The Digital Camera has finally come of age. It sure took a long time coming, but here it is. Wow.

It will be a lot of fun to see all the endless real world photo comparisons on the net between this and the subpar Canon and Nikon mass-market products which a lot of duped pro-sumers bought into and continue to buy into based on marketing hype. hahahhaha stupid pro-sumers.

[leicam6]

This is the most desirable camera created this year. The other being the Sinar Hy6 which is in a totally different price category.